Add as a preferred source on Google Erling Haaland has a new, if entirely joking, path into WWE, courtesy of Cody Rhodes.
On the July 23 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Rhodes took part in a quick-fire segment about which athletes and actors could work as WWE Superstars. Tom Holland, Travis Kelce, and Jason Momoa were also mentioned, along with Haaland.
Asked about the Manchester City forward, Rhodes said:
“A supreme athlete. With the hair, we could do a cousin thing because in wrestling, we’re related. He could be my cuz.”
The remark came during a lighthearted interview that also promoted the Street Fighter film, in which Rhodes will play Guile and Roman Reigns will play Akuma.
The comment adds another layer to a previous remark from the “American Nightmare.” In October 2024, during a promotional appearance with Manchester City, Rhodes said Haaland was the club player he would least want to face, citing his long limbs and joking that the Norwegian looked capable of attacking him from outside the bus.
Haaland has also been directly involved with WWE before. In March 2024, he appeared alongside John Cena in a video announcing Manchester City’s preseason tour of the United States. Months later, the club launched a collection in partnership with WWE, while members of the squad visited the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.